Environmental Indian General Assistance (IGAP) Program

The Central Council Native Lands & Resources Department received $200,000.00 for FY 2002-2004 funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Central Council is proposing a 24 month Indian General Assistance Program project to build upon the achievements of its previous program accomplishments. The Environmental section staff has engaged in a number of capacity building activities, developed a program structure, filled environmental staff positions and initiated a collaborative working relationship with the villages and communities of Southeast Alaska to whom Central Council provides services under IGAP.

The Environmental Section has also been able to develop and submit several other Environmental Protection proposals to the U.S. Department of Defense, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, National Fish and Wildlife foundation and Bureau of Indian Affairs, that will further develop its capacity to work with the villages and communities of S.E. Alaska.

Central Council's role in S.E. Alaska evolves as progress is made by S.E. Alaska village IGAP's. Although much advancement has been made as far as the capacity of S.E. tribes, they are still facing a number of challenges armed with few resources and a small staff. Under the current IGAP, the Central Council has begun the process of consultation and Collaboration with the villages to identify and prioritize their problems and issues, and searched for additional funds to continue assessment, planning, and goal setting activities. This IGAP project will allow Central Council to provide technical assistance and training opportunities to S.E. communities and to develop the abilities of our staff to provide superior service to all of our tribal members.

Current Project Goals Include:

• To develop a reputable training program in order to meet the educational needs of Southeast Alaska Tribal Environmental Programs;
• Continue professional development of Central Council environmental staff;
• Develop an On-line Informational Web-Site;
• Build capacity within the city and borough of Juneau;
• Carry out IGAP administrative functions;
• Host a Southeast Tribal Environmental Conference;

Up Coming Trainings:

A Grants Management Training is being planned for September 2003 in Juneau Alaska for Tribal Environmental Programs and again the Native Lands and resource Department will be offering travel and accommodation for 2 persons from each tribe. Each tribe will send one environmental staff person and one grant/financial manager from their tribe.
Because it is essential that IGAP staff and tribal grant/financial mangers to work together to ensure implementation of IGAP grants, this grant management training would include the following major topics to GAP grants; records keeping, financial management/accounting and financial and narrative reporting requirements.

Accomplishments:

Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian tribes of Alaska co-hosted with the Craig Community Association and the Environmental Protection Agency for the Needs Assessment Professional Tribal Environmental Workshop in Craig, Alaska on June 23rd-27th, 2003. The Craig Community Association (CCA) received US EPA Special Project funds to provide a workshop for interested Tribal Environmental departments through out Southeast Alaska. This four-day workshop included one day of instruction and discussion in each of the following fields; grant -writing and community comprehensive planning, solid waste management, water quality and air quality. The Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium (POWTEC) was contracted to provide instruction for this workshop and is interested in providing a training that meets the specific need of Southeast Alaska Tribes. This Training was oriented for Tribal Environmental Professionals who have already accomplished a minimum of one week of formal training in each of the above fields. New Tribal Environmental Staff were encouraged to attend as well. The Native Lands and Resource Department offered travel scholarships to tribal environmental staff in Southeast Alaska.

For more information contact Kerri Sheakley, Environmental Specialist at ksheakley@ccthita.org, or Desiree Duncan, NLR Manager at dduncan@ccthita.org , or by phone at: 1-800-344-1432.